Feed bunk



w. E. JoNs Oct. 22, 1968 FEED BUNK Filed July 13, 1965 INVENTOR. Mzns/a Jb/Ms United States Patent 3,406,982 FEED BUNK Wilmer E. Jorns, Rte. 3, Hartford, Wis. 53027 Filed July 13, 1965, Ser. No. 471,568 14 Claims. (Cl. 280-24) Disclosed herein is a feed bunk including a box, a channel shaped supporting member including a ground engaged flange, a box supporting flange, and a connecting flange, togetherwith reinforcing members which strengthen the box sides and which are connected at spaced points on said members with each of two of said flanges and independently of the other of said flanges.

This invention relates to feed bunks and, more particularly, to portable feed bunks.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a feed bunk which can be easily moved from one place to another and which is sturdy and strong enough to withstand rough handling and other abuses during use and transportation. In accordance with the invention, the feed bunk includes a pair of supporting members each having a ground engaging flange and a supporting flange. An open box having outwardly inclined sides is fixedly carried on the supporting flanges of the respective supporting members. A series of spaced reinforcing members are respectively connected to the ground engaging and supporting flanges of the supporting members and to the sides of the box.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a feed bunk showing various of the features of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of the feed bunk shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, with parts broken away and in section, of a portion of the feed bunk shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view of a portion of a feed bunk showing a modified form of the invention;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view of a portion of a feed bunk showing another modified form of the invention; and

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view of a portion of a feed bunk showing still another modified form of the invention.

Referring to FIGURE 1, the feed bunk 10 includes a pair of supporting members in the form of H-beams 12 each having a ground engaging flange 14 and a supporting flange 16 connected in parallel relation to each other by a connecting web or part 18. The H-beams are connected in spaced, parallel relation to each other by means of one or more cross members 20 disposed transverse of the H- beams 12 and having ends respectively fixed to the supporting flanges of the H-beams 12. As shown in FIGURE 3, the upper surfaces 22 of the cross members 20 are disposed in coplanar alignment with the upper surfaces 24 of the supporting flanges 16, for reasons to be hereinafter discussed.

A flat, rectangular plate is carried on the supporting flanges 16 of the H-beams 12 with a portion of the under surface 32 of the plate 30 bearing against the upper surfaces 24 of the supporting flanges 16. The plate 30 is generally coextensive with the rectangular area enclosed between the outermost corners 33 of the H-beams 12. The coplanar alignment of the cross members 20 with the supporting flanges 16 (as described above) affords further support of the plate 30.

An angle iron having angularly related flanges 42 and 44 is fixed at each corner of the plate 30, as by welding or other suitable connecting means. The angle irons 40 are disposed so that the flanges 42 are obliquely outwardly angularly related to the plate 30, and the flanges 44 are in planes normal to the plate 30 and transverse of the H-beams 12. 4

Wooden planks 50 are respectively fixed, as by bolts or other suitable fastening means to the correspondingly aligned flanges 42 and 44. The wooden planks 50 in conjunction with the plate 30 define an open box 51 having sides 52 which are oppositely, outwardly inclined relative to the plate 30, and sides 54 which are perpendicularly related to the plate 30. If desired, the sides 54 can also be oppositely, outwardly inclined relative to the plate 30 by disposing the flanges44 in oblique angular relation to the plate 30.

The sides 52 are reinforced by a series of spaced, angularly bent, reinforcing members 62. The reinforcing mem bers 62 include first portions or legs 64 which. are respectively connected, as by welding or other suitable means, to the supporting flanges 16 and the ground engaging flanges 14 of the H-beams 12 (as best shown in FIGURE 2). The reinforcing members 62 also include second portions or legs 66 respectively connected, as by bolts or other suitable connecting means, to the planks 50 which form the sides 52 of the feed bunk 10. The first and second portions 64 and 66 respectively of each reinforcing member 62 are suitably angularly related to each other to accommodate the outward inclination of the sides 52 of the feed bunk 10.

The ground engaging flanges 14 of the H-beams 12 are disposed to contact the ground and afford relatively easy sliding of the bunk along the ground. The opposite ends 68 of the ground engaging flanges 16 of the H-beams 12 are upwardly, inclined relative to the ground to facilitate sliding of the bunk 10 along the ground, Also, pulling means in the form of a hook or eyelet 70 is connected to the opposite ends of the plate 30 and between the H-beams 12 for removably attaching a chain or other means (not shown) to the feed bunk 10 when the bunk is to be moved or transported.

This invention contemplates the use of any type of supporting members having ground engaging flanges and supporting flanges, which flanges are connected to each other by means of connecting webs or parts. In an alternative construction, shown in FIGURE 4, the feed bunk includes a pair of oppositely disposed, inwardly facing, spaced, parallel channel beams each having flanges 82 and 84 connected in spaced, parallel relation to each other by connecting webs or parts 86. The reinforcing members 88, which are similar to the reinforcing members 62, previously described, are connected to the flanges 82 and 84 and to the wooden planks 89 in the same manner as previously described. This invention also contemplates oppositely disposed outwardly facing, spaced, parallel channel beams 90 (shown in FIGURE 5) or box beams (not shown) having flanges, or members, 92 and 94 connected to each other by connecting web or part 96. The reinforcing members 98 are connected to the flanges 92 and 94 and to the wooden planks 99 in the same manner as previously described, and as shown in FIGURE 5.

In the alternative construction shown in FIGURE 6, the feed bunk 100 is similar to the feed bunk 10 previously described and includes a pair of supporting members in the form of H-beams 102 (only one is shown) each having a ground engaging flange 104 and a supporting flange 106 connected in parallel relation to each other by a connecting web or part 108. The H-beams are connected in spaced parallel relation to each other by means of one or more cross members disposed transversely of the H-beam and having ends respectively disposed in a corner 121 formed by the joinder of the underside of the supporting flange 106 and the connecting web 108. The cross members 120 are fixed to the H-beams 102 by any suitable means, such as welding.

A flat, rectangular plate 130 is carried on the supporting flanges 106 of the H-beams 102. A gap or space 131 is provided between the rectangular plate 130 and the cross members 120. The angle irons 140 and the wooden planks 150 are constructed in a similar manner as are the angle irons 40 and wooden planks 50 (previously described).

The sides 152 of the feed bunk 100 are reinforced by a series of spaced, reinforcing members 162 suitably connected to the planks 161 which form the sides 152. The reinforcing members 162 are disposed in angular relation to the H-beams 102 with the one end of each reinforcing member fixed, as by welding or other suitable means, at a point spaced from a longitudinal edge 163 of the ground engaging flange 106 and preferably in a corner 164 formed by the joinder of the ground engaging flange 104 and the web 108. The reinforcing members 162 are also respectively fixed, intermediate the ends thereof, to a longitudinal edge 165 of the supporting flanges 106, as by welding or other suitable means. If desired, the member 162 can also be fixed to the plate 130, as by welding. Disposition of the reinforcing member 162 in the manner described above affords suitable angular inclination of the member 162 to provide suitable outward inclination of the sides 152 of the feed bunk 100. The inclination afforded the members 162 by connecting the ends of members 162 at the corners 163 can be varied as by connecting the ends of members 162 at points spaced from the corners 163, such as at various points along the web 108 or along the ground engaging flange 104. However, the preferred and strongest construction is obtained by connecting the ends of members 162 at the corners 163, as shown in FIGURE 6.

The above-described construction is the most preferable because it eliminates the bending of the previously described reinforcing members 62. Use of the straight reinforcing member, therefore, facilitates easy construction and assembly of the feed bunk 100.

Various of the features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A feed bunk comprising a pair of H-beams each having a ground engaging flange and supporting flange, one or more cross members connecting said H-beams in spaced, parallel relation to each other, a rectangular plate carried on said supporting flanges of said H-beams, an angle iron having angularly related flanges and disposed at each corner of said plate, said angle irons being obliquely outwardly angularly related to said plate, wooden planks respectively fixed to said flanges of said angle irons to define the sides of said bunk, a series of spaced angularly-bent reinforcing members disposed along opposite sides of said bunk, said reinforcing members having respective first portions connected to said ground engaging and supporting flanges of said H-bearn and second portions connected to said planks.

2. A feed bunk in accordance with claim 1, wherein opposite ends of said ground engaging flanges of said respective H-beams are arcuately, upwardly bent to facilitate sliding of said feed bunk along the ground.

3. A feed bunk in accordance with claim 2, including pulling means connected to said plate at opposite ends of said bunk to facilitate connection to said bunk for sliding of said bunk along the ground.

4. A feed bunk comprising a pair of channel beams respectively having ground engaging flanges and supporting flanges, one or more cross members connecting said channel beams in opposed, spaced, parallel relation to each other, a rectangular plate carried on said supporting flanges of said channel beams, an angle iron having angularly related flanges and disposed at each corner of said plate, said angle iron being obliquely outwardly angularly related to said plate, wooden planks respectively fixed to said flanges of said angle irons to define the sides of said bunk, a series of spaced angularly bent reinforcing members disposed along oposite sides of said bunk, said reinforcing members having respective first legs connected to said ground engaging and supporting flanges of said channel beams and second legs connected to said planks.

5. A feed bunk comprising a pair of beams respectively having ground engaging members and supporting members, one or more cross members connecting said beams in spaced, ,parallel relation to each other, a rectangular plate carried on said supporting members on said beams, an angle iron having angularly related flanges and disposed at each corner of said plate, said angle iron being obliquely outwardly angularly related to said plate, wooden planks respectively fixed to said flanges of said angle irons to define the sides of said bunk, a series of spaced angularly bent reinforcing members disposed along opposite sides of said bunk, said reinforcing members having respective first legs connected to said ground engaging and supporting members of said beams and second legs connected to said planks.

6. A feed bunk comprising a pair of supporting members each having a ground engaging flange including a longitudinal edge and a supporting flange including a longitudinal edge, said ground engaging and supporting flanges being connected in spaced parallel relation to each other by a connecting part, one or more cross members connecting said supporting members in spaced parallel relation to each other, a rectangular plate carried on said supporting flanges of said supporting members, and an angle iron having acutely angularly related flanges and disposed at each corner of said plate, said angle iron being obliquely outwardly angularly related to said plate, wooden planks respectively fixed to said flanges of said angle irons to define the sides of said bunk, and a series of spaced reinforcing members disposed along opposite sides of said bunk, said reinforcing members being respectively connected to said ground engaging flange at a point spaced from said longitudinal edge of said ground engaging flange, and to said longitudinal edge of said supporting flange, said reinforcing members also being connected to said wooden planks.

7. A feed bunk comprising an under frame including a pair of supporting members each having a ground engaging flange and a supporting flange connected in spaced parallel relation to each other by a connecting flange, and cross members secured to said supporting members so as to locate said supporting members in spaced parallel relation to each other, a box having sides and mounted adjacent the sides thereof on said supporting flanges, and, at each side of said box, a re-enforcing member having a first portion connected at spaced points thereon to two of said flanges independently of the third of said flanges, and a second portion extending from proximate to said adjacent supporting flange in engaged parallel relation to the adjacent side of said box.

8. A feed bunk in accordance with claim 7 wherein said re-cnforcing member extends for substantially the height of said adjacent side and terminates at a first point located below a second point located above the top of said adjacent side.

9. A feed bunk comprising a pair of spaced generally parallel supporting members each having a ground engaging flange and a supporting flange connected in spaced parallel relation to each other by a connecting flange, a box having outwardly inclined sides and mounted adjacent the sides thereof on said supporting flanges, and, at each side of said box, a re-enforcing member having a first portion connected at spaced points thereon to two of said flanges independently of the third of said flanges, and a second portion extending from proximate to said adjacent supporting flange in engaged parallel relation to the adjacent side of said box.

10. A feed bunk in accordance with claim 9 wherein said re-enforcing member extends for substantially the height of said adjacent side and terminates at a first point located below a second point above the top of said adjacent side.

11. A feed bunk comprising a pair of spaced generally parallel supporting members each having a ground engaging flange and a supporting flange connected in spaced parallel relation to each other by a connecting flange, a box having outwardly inclined sides and mounted adjacent the sides thereof on said supporting flanges, and, at each side of said box, a re-enforcing member having a first portion connected at spaced points thereon to said ground engaging and said supporting flanges independently of said connecting flange, and a second portion bent with respect to said first portion and extending from proximate to said adjacent supporting flange in engaged parallel relation to the adjacent side of said box.

12. A feed bunk in accordance with claim 11 wherein said re-enforcing member extends for substantially the height of said adjacent side and terminates at a first point located below a second point located above the top of said adjacent side.

13. A feed bunk comprising a pair of spaced generally parallel supporting members each having a ground engaging flange and a supporting flange connected in spaced parallel relation to each other by a connecting flange,

said ground engaging flange and said connecting flange forming a corner, a box having outwardly inclined sides and mounted adjacent the sides thereof on said supporting flanges, and, at each side of said box, a generally recti linear re-enforcing member having a first portion connected, at spaced points thereon, to said supporting flange and to said corner, and a second portion extending from proximate to said adjacent supporting flange in engaged parallel relation to the adjacent side of said box.

14. A feed bunk in accordance with claim 13 wherein said re-enforcing member extends for substantially the height of said adjacent side and terminates at a first point located below a second point located above the top of said adjacent side.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,547,112 4/1951 Daniels 2l769 BENJAMIN HERSH, Primary Examiner.

L. D. MORRIS, JR., Assistant Examiner. 

1. A FEED BUNK COMPRISING A PAIR OF H-BEAMS EACH HAVING A GROUND ENGAGING FLANGE AND SUPPORTING FLANGE, ONE OR MORE CROSS MEMBERS CONNECTING SAID H-BEAMS IN SPACED, PARALLEL RELATION TO EACH OTHER, A RECTANGULAR PLATE CARRIED ON SAID SUPPORTING FLANGES OF SAID H-BEAMS, AN ANGLE IRON HAVING ANGULARLY RELATED FLANGES AND DISPOSED AT EACH CORNER OF SAID PLATE, SAID ANGLE IRONS BEING OBLIQUELY OUTWARDLY ANGULARLY RELATED TO SAID PLATE, WOODEN PLANKS RESPECTIVELY FIXED TO SAID FLANGES OF SAID ANGLE IRONS TO DEFINE THE SIDES OF SAID BUNK, A SERIES OF SPACED ANGULARLY-BENT REINFORCING MEMBERS DISPOSED ALONG OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID BUNK, SAID REINFORCING MEMBERS HAVING RESPECTIVE FIRST PORTIONS CONNECTED TO SAID GROUND ENGAGING AND SUPPORTING FLANGES OF SAID H-BEAM AND SECOND PORTIONS CONNECTED TO SAID PLANKS. 